Why are the American Cancer Society and ACS CAN engaged in politics and policy?
Our nations lawmakers play a critical role in reducing death from cancer. In the last two decades, the American Cancer Society and ACS CAN have made enormous strides in the fight against cancer by advocating for increased government investment in cancer research, strong tobacco control policies that are proven to decrease smoking rates, screening and treatment programs that give low-income people access to prevention and early detection services, and other lifesaving policies. The Society created its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in 2001 to build a nationwide grassroots movement of cancer advocates who call upon government officials to support policies like these that help people prevent and fight cancer.
